England to play Scotland next year

England are to play Scotland in a one-day international next year, the two countries announced Friday.

A further match has been arranged for 2012, subject to Scotland retaining its one-day international status.

Next year's fixture has been provisionally scheduled to take place in Scotland on August 18.

As part of an agreement between the two boards, the Scottish Saltires and the Scotland A team will also continue to participate in the domestic structure in England and Wales for the foreseeable future.

In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said the two governing bodies had "also agreed to ensure the compatibility of television contracts for the two countries moving forward in order to avoid conflicts of scheduling and to benefit the development of the game."

This appeared to be something of a pointed remark aimed in the direction of the Irish Cricket Union, who upset the ECB by recently staging a triangular series in Belfast also featuring India and South Africa.

Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland chief executive, said: "We are absolutely delighted that we have reached an agreement with the ECB moving forward.

"Having the full England side in Scotland for an ODI next year will give the game a huge boost and I am sure our cricketing public will be looking forward to welcoming the England team."

David Collier, ECB chief executive, said: "We have a strong relationship with Cricket Scotland and we are delighted to have been able to reach this agreement."

Scotland, unlike Ireland, exited this year's World Cup in the Caribbean at the initial group stage after several heavy defeats.

Ireland, who tied with Zimbabwe, caused the upset of the tournament when they beat Pakistan by three wickets in Jamaica on March 17.